Page 91 of Modern Romance June 2025 5-8

Her dress was simple yet stunning. Strapless, it was shaped to skim her body, glorying in her curves before falling in a straight column to the floor. There were no puffy skirts or outlandish ornamentation. Just Annalena, classically sophisticated and heartbreakingly beautiful.

The dress was emerald green like her eyes. The neckline dipped a little between her breasts, edged with what looked like diamonds.

She wore no jewellery except her ring, but from her shoulders, attached to the dress, hung a transparent, full-length cape of green studded with a galaxy of diamonds.

Benedikt hauled in air to constricted lungs.

‘Thank you.’ Her voice had a husky edge he liked. ‘So do you. Formal evening clothes suit you.’

He shook his head. There was no comparison. He moved closer, something inside him dipping as she stiffened.

That wouldn’t do, not tonight.

His concern wasn’t just for the image they’d project. He hated her instinctive withdrawal.

Deliberately he conjured a light tone as he stopped before her. ‘They look like tiny stars. Did you raid the treasury for diamonds?’

Her eyes widened and she looked down at the filmy material cascading from her shoulders. Her hand lifted as if to touch, then fell. ‘Just diamantés, not the real thing. Don’t worry. The royal coffers are safe.’

A tiny smile curved her lips and lit her face.

If only he could entice that smile more often. Get her to smile that way athim. At this rate no one would be convinced by their betrothal announcement.

He dragged in much-needed oxygen and with it came an elusive scent. The light but seductive perfume of mountain meadows and spring flowers.

Warmth enveloped him like Alpine sunshine and he leaned in. Instantly she took a half-step back, making him clamp his jaw.

‘You’re early. We’re not due to open the ball for a while.’

‘Yet you’re ready.’

She lifted her shoulders in a shrug that should have been casual but seemed jerky. ‘I didn’t want to run late. I wanted to look…right.’

It was the first time she’d come close to admitting to nerves or uncertainty. As if to make up for it, she held her head high, her expression calm.

Benedikt wasn’t fooled. He felt her tension. ‘You look amazing. You’d be the belle of the ball even without our announcement.’

Her expression was quizzical. ‘Thank you. Let’s hope it goes smoothly.’

‘That’s why I’m here. There’s something we need to fix before we appear in public.’

She frowned. ‘Fix? All the arrangements are made. Your staff have been force-feeding me information on the guests for days, not to mention details of how the evening will proceed and every possible etiquette issue.’

‘You’ll deal with all that easily. And I’ll be with you if you’re unsure about anything.’

‘So what’s the problem?’

‘This.’

He reached out and touched her hand. Immediately she flinched before standing stiffly, as unresponsive as a piece of wood.

‘Are you scared of me?’

‘Of course I’m not scared.’

Predictably her chin lifted. But her poise was undercut by the way she clamped her teeth into her bottom lip. He wanted to soothe the soft flesh with his own.

‘Do you find me abhorrent?’ He didn’t believe it but had to ask. ‘Every time we come close you stiffen up. At the photo shoot you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else but with me.’

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